CAMBODIA LUXURY TOURS

Cambodia is renowned for its iconic and world famous Khmer temple complex, Angkor Wat. This UNESCO World Heritage Site archaeological park is set amidst lush jungles, with hundreds of temple ruins awaiting exploration. However, Cambodia is also much more than just the temples of Angkor. Phnom Penh has awakened as an endearing Indochinese capital, with chic cafes dotting the Mekong River and plenty of arts, fine dining, and nightlife to keep visitors entertained. Cambodia also has an abundant coastline headlined by the beach resort of Sihanoukville, which now features the private luxury island of Song Saa, an emerald paradise. Quaint towns like Kep and Kampot have been restored, with old colonial villas and plenty of charm to entice visitors. There is also the charming old French town of Battambang, where one can take a bamboo train through the countryside and experience Cambodia at its rural best.

SIEM REAP
Thanks to Angkor Wat, Siem Reap is now a happening travel destination, with some of the top luxury hotels in Asia along with some gourmet Khmer cuisine. Of course the big draw here are the temples, which range from the awe inspiring Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom, along with the captivating jungle ruins of Ta Phrom, to the remote Banteay Srai, which is covered in intricate carvings and not heavily touristed. Kept Secrets can arrange a helicopter ride to tour the ruins from above, getting you to the best vantage points far from the usual tourist circuit.

Siem Reap is also home to the mammoth Tonle Sap Lake, which is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia and has several “floating” villages, made up of inhabitants who subsist with the changing water levels throughout the year. You can explore these by boat along with the Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary, which is home to an amazing number of migratory birds.

PHNOM PENH
Known as both the “Pearl of Asia” and “Paris of the East,” Phnom Penh is a lovely mix of old and new. French colonial mansions sit next to nouvelle cafes along the grand boulevards or quays along the Mekong River. You can stroll here or take a cruise, taking in all of the top sights of Phnom Penh such as the Royal Palace, Wat Phnom, the Art Deco Psar Thmei Central Market, and visit some of Cambodia’s dark past at the somber Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and Choeung Ek Killing Fields. Dine in Phnom Penh on fine French cuisine or indulge in some local Khmer, along with Apsara traditional dance performances to accompany your meal.

SIHANOUKVILLE AND THE SOUTH COAST
Only a few hours’ drive from the Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville is Cambodia’s Riviera, with plenty of white sand, palm trees, and calm water. The new 5 star private boutique island of Som Saa is the trump card here, where you can stay in elegant villas built over the water and be completely pampered. Also in this area is Kep, a small town full of colonial villas that are being restored after being abandoned during Khmer Rouge times, and nearby Kampot, where you can visit the haunting Bokor Hill, sight of an old French hotel and casino, and enjoy the arts scene and old colonial buildings and riverside promenade. Kept Secrets will steer you to all of the best out of the way and unexplored spots in this up and coming tourist region.